title: A pilot study on the effect of alteration of the suprahyoid muscles on the growth of the marmoset monkey.
abstract: A pilot study was undertaken to determine the effect, if any, of alteration of the suprahyoid muscles on mandibular growth in the marmoset. It was postulated that releasing the attachment of the digastric and geniohyoid muscles at their junction with the mandible might produce a growth change in the rotation pattern of mandibular growth. Similarly, shortening these muscles might produce a different but significant growth change. Ten animals were used, five of which were controls. Two animals had their suprahyoid muscles sectioned, and three others had their suprahyoid muscles shortened by plication. The animals were examined with cephalometric radiographs at the commencement of the experiment and at specific intervals thereafter until they reached maturity (approximately 1 1/2 years of age). The results indicate that releasing the digastrics and the suprahyoids at the mandible causes no significant change in the length of the mandible. Shortening of the suprahyoids through plication, however, appears to result in a notable change in the mandible and possibly the face. This study suggests that further research in this area may be fruitful in producing a primate model with a' retruded genial area or a tongue protrusion by plication or otherwise shortening the suprahyoid muscles.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002144:Callithrix; D002508:Cephalometry; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects